WildARMS Developers Working On Wizard of Oz RPG
06.18.08 - 4:58 PM

Media Vision, the development studio behind Sony Computer Entertaiment's long-running WildARMS series is working on a new DS-based RPG titled Riz-Zoawd. Tetsuya Ookubo, who previously worked as a designer on the WildARMS series, is producing the game, while another WildARMS series veteran, Nobuo Nakazawa is serving as Riz-Zoawd's game designer. The game's soundtrack is composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and WildARMS series composer Michiko Naruke.

Published by D3 Publisher in Japan, the game is based on The Wizard of Oz.
The player will control the story's heroine Dorothy. Familiar faces, such as Dorothy's dog Toto, the Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man or the Wizard of Oz also will make appearances in the game. In return for granting her a wish, the Wizard orders Dorothy to collect magic eggs.

Media Vision has re-created the various locations in 3D. The developers emphasize the lack of any button pressing, as the player will control all of Dorothy's action with the DS' stylus. To realize this button-less controls the DS' lower screen will display a virtual track ball. By using this virtual track ball in combination with the stylus, players can control Dorothy's movement or change the camera angles.

Riz-Zoawd will feature turn-based battles with up to three active party members. When Dorothy runs into a foe on the field map, she is given the option to engage the enemy, change party members or run away.

Riz-Zoawd will be available in Japan sometime this winter.


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Chris Winkler